User Device-Initiated Request for Resource Configuration

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes techniques and systems for user device-initiated requests for resource configuration. In some aspects, a user device can detect one or more conditions related to communicating with a base station over a wireless connection. The user device selects, based on the conditions, elements of a resource configuration for communicating with the base station. The user device then transmits a request indicating the selected elements of the resource configuration to the base station, which can then allocate resources to the user device based on the request. The elements of the resource configuration selected by the user device may include one or more of numerology configuration, mini-slot configuration, or a schedule for uplink and downlink OFDM symbols within a resource of the wireless network. This may allow the user device to influence a resource configuration that is better-suited for communication over one or more channels of the wireless connection.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a provider of a wireless network manages wirelesscommunications over the wireless network. For example, a base stationmanages wireless communications with a user device associated with thewireless network. The provider of the wireless network receives arequest to communicate, determines a resource configuration for thecommunication, and transmits a communication schedule to a user devicethat transmitted the request. The user device then follows thecommunication schedule to transmit to, and receive data from, theprovider based on the resource configuration. However, the provider maybe unable to detect conditions at the user device that may influence aquality of the communication or a user experience at the user device.

SUMMARY

This document describes techniques for, and systems that enable, userdevice-initiated requests for resource configuration. Advances inwireless communication technology allow a provider, such as a basestation of a wireless network, to select resource configurations whenallocating resources to associated user devices. However, the providermay be unable to detect conditions that would make a resourceconfiguration preferable over another resource configuration. Theseconditions may include one or more of a Doppler effect, phase noise, adelay spread, other wireless connections of the user device, an amountor type of data to be communicated over the wireless connection, a powerstatus of the user device, or a thermal status of the user device.

In contrast to provider-selected resource allocations, aspects of userdevice-initiated requests for resource allocation enable allocation ofnetwork resources (resources) based on conditions detected by a userdevice. For example, a user device can detect one or more of theafore-mentioned conditions and select, based on the conditions detectedby the user device, elements of a resource configuration forcommunicating with a base station of a wireless network. The user devicethen transmits a request that indicates the selected resourceconfiguration to the base station, which can then allocate resources tothe user device based on the request. In some cases, the elements of theresource configuration selected by the user device include one or moreof numerology configuration, mini-slot configuration, or a schedule foruplink and downlink orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM)symbols within a resource of the wireless connection. This can improvean experience at the user device by allowing the user device toinfluence a resource configuration that is better-suited forcommunication over one or more channels of the wireless connection withthe base station.

In some aspects, a user device determines conditions related tocommunicating with a base station over a wireless connection. The userdevice selects, based on the determined conditions, a numerologyconfiguration of resource of the wireless connection for communicatingwith the base station. The user device then transmits, to the basestation, a request to communicate with the base station, with therequest identifying the selected numerology configuration of theresources of the wireless connection. In some implementations, the userdevice may receive, in response to transmitting the request, a resourcegrant allocating resources for communicating over the wirelessconnection based on the selected numerology configuration.

In other aspects, a user device includes a processor, a hardware-basedtransceiver, and a computer-readable storage medium having instructionsstored thereon. Responsive to execution of the instructions by theprocessor, the processor performs operations relating to userdevice-initiated requests for resource configuration. The operationsinclude determining conditions related to communicating with a basestation over a wireless connection. The operations also includeselecting, based on the determined conditions, a mini-slot configurationfor communicating with the base station. The operations further includetransmitting, to the base station, a request to communicate with thebase station via a mini-slot. The request identifies the selectedmini-slot configuration.

In further aspects, a user device determines conditions related tocommunicating with a base station over a wireless connection. The userdevice selects, based on the determined conditions, a schedule foruplink and downlink OFDM symbols within a resource of the wirelessconnection. The user device then transmits, to the base station, arequest to communicate with the base station, with the requestidentifying the selected schedule for the uplink and downlink OFDMsymbols within the resource of the wireless connection. In someimplementations, the user device may receive, in response totransmitting the request, a resource grant allocating resources forcommunicating over the wireless connection based on the selectedschedule for the uplink and downlink OFDM symbols.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the following description. Other features andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims. This summary is provided to introduce subject matter that isfurther described in the Detailed Description and Drawings. Accordingly,this summary should not be considered to describe essential features norused to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details of one or more aspects of user device-initiated requests forresource configuration for wireless networks is described below. The useof the same reference numbers in different instances in the descriptionand the figures indicate similar elements:

FIG. 1 illustrates example device configurations of a user device and abase station in accordance with one or more aspects of userdevice-initiated requests for resource configuration.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example networking environment in which the userdevice and base station may communicate in accordance with one or moreaspects of user device-initiated requests for resource configuration.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example user interface of the user device inaccordance with one or more aspects of user device-initiated requestsfor resource configuration.

FIG. 4 illustrates example resources with subcarrier spacing configuredfor communication between the user device and the base station.

FIG. 5 illustrates example resources with cyclic prefixes configured forcommunication between the user device and the base station.

FIG. 6 illustrates example resources configured as a mini-slot forcommunication between the user device and the base station.

FIG. 7 illustrates example schedules of uplink and downlink OFDM symbolsfor communication between the user device and the base station.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method for requesting, by the user device,to communicate with the base station based on a selected numerologyconfiguration of resources of a wireless connection.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example method for requesting, by the user device,to communicate with the base station via a selected mini-slotconfiguration.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example method for requesting, by the userdevice, to communicate with the base station based on a selectedschedule of OFDM symbols within a resource of a wireless connection withthe base station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Base stations of wireless networks typically manage wireless connectionswith user devices by scheduling resources for communicating with theuser devices. Recent advances in wireless communication technology allowa base station to provide various resource configurations forcommunications between a user device and the base station. For example,the resource configurations may include elements such as numerologyconfiguration, mini-slot configuration, or a schedule for uplink anddownlink OFDM symbols. Based on conditions at the user device, aparticular resource configuration may be preferred by the user device.However, the base station may be unaware of the conditions at the userdevice, and may configure resources without consideration of theconditions.

This document describes techniques and systems for user device-initiatedrequests for resource configuration. User device-initiated requests forresource configuration includes a user device determining conditions forcommunicating with the base station, selecting a resource configuration,and transmitting a request to the base station for communicating basedon the selected resource configuration. The conditions may be, forexample, environmental conditions or internal conditions of the userdevice.

In an illustrative example, a user device communicates with a basestation over a wireless connection. Here, assume that the user devicedetects a Doppler effect in communications received from the basestation. Based on this condition, the user device determines anumerology that increases subcarrier spacing to reduce the Dopplereffect. Additionally, the user device determines that the user device isalso communicating via another wireless connection according to aschedule for the other wireless connection. The user device may alsodetermine that simultaneous transmissions over both wireless connectionswould be undesirable based on, for example, double-scheduling a singletransmission chain or exceeding a specific absorption rate (SAR) limitfor radio frequency (RF) emissions. Based on this condition, the userdevice determines to communicate with the base station during amini-slot scheduled to avoid simultaneous transmissions over bothwireless connections. For example, the user device can select amini-slot occupying a first portion of a slot based on the user devicebeing scheduled to transmit over the other wireless connection during asecond portion of the slot. The user device then transmits a request tothe base station, with the request identifying the selected numerologyand mini-slot configuration. Based on the request, the base stationallocates resources for communicating with the user device and thentransmits a resource grant to the user device that identifies theallocated resources.

The following discussion describes an operating environment andtechniques that may be employed in the operating environment and/ornetwork environment. In the context of the present disclosure, referenceis made to the operating environment or networking environment by way ofexample only.

Operating Environment

FIG. 1 illustrates an example operating environment 100 in which devicesfor user device-initiated requests for resource configuration can beimplemented. In this example, the operating environment includes a userdevice 102 and a base station 104 that are respectively configured tocommunicate over a wireless connection 106 of a wireless network.Generally, the wireless connection 106 includes an uplink 108 by whichthe user device 102 transmits data to the base station 104 and adownlink 110 by which the base station 104 transmits other data to theuser device 102, such as application data or grants for furthercommunications. Although shown or described with reference to a separateuplink 108 or downlink 110, communication between the user device 102and base station 104 may also be referenced as a wireless association, aframe exchange, a wireless link, or a communication link.

The wireless connection 106 may be implemented in accordance with anysuitable protocol or standard, such as a Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access(WiMax), a High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Evolved HSPA (HSPA+)protocol, a long-term evolution (LTE) protocol, an LTE Advancedprotocol, a 5^(th) Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) protocol, or a futureadvanced protocol. The protocol may operate based on frequency divisionduplexing (FDD) or time division duplexing (TDD). The wirelessconnection 106 may operate over a dynamic frequency bandwidth that canrange from a high frequency bandwidth, such as a frequency bandwidthgreater than 1 GHz, to a low frequency bandwidth, such as 2 MHz.Further, the wireless connection 106 may be configured to allow foroperation at high frequencies, such as frequencies above 3 GHz, as wellas lower frequencies, such as those between 0.5 GHz and 3 GHz.

The user device 102 includes a processor 112, computer-readable storagemedia (CRM) 114 having a communication conditions monitor 116 and aresource configuration selector 118, and a communication module 120. Theuser device 102 is illustrated as a smart phone, however the user device102 may instead be implemented as any device with wireless communicationcapabilities, such as a mobile gaming console, a tablet, a laptop, anadvanced driver assistance system (ADAS), a point-of-sale (POS)terminal, a health monitoring device, an unmanned aircraft, a camera, amedia-streaming dongle, a wearable smart-device, an internet-of-things(IoT) device, a personal media device, a navigation device, amobile-internet device (MID), a wireless hotspot, a femtocell, a smartvehicle, or a broadband router.

The processor 112 of the user device 102 can executeprocessor-executable instructions or code stored by the CRM 114 to causethe user device 102 to perform operations or implement various devicefunctionalities. In this example, the CRM 114 also storesprocessor-executable code or instructions for implementing one or moreof the communication conditions monitor 116 or the resourceconfiguration selector 118 of the user device 102. The communicationconditions monitor 116 or the resource configuration selector 118 may beimplemented as modules including one or more of hardware or software.

A processor, such as the processor 112, can be implemented as anapplication processor (e.g., a multicore processor) or a system-on-chipwith other components of the user device 102 integrated therein. A CRM,such as the CRM 114, may include any suitable type of memory media orstorage media, such as read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM),random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), or Flash memory. In thecontext of this discussion, a CRM is implemented as hardware-basedstorage media, which does not include transitory signals or carrierwaves. In some cases, a CRM stores one or more of firmware, an operatingsystem, or applications of an associated device as instructions, code,or information. The instructions or code can be executed by anassociated processor to implement various functionalities of theassociated device, such as those related to wireless networkcommunication.

In some aspects, the communication conditions monitor 116 monitorsconditions, such as internal and environmental conditions that mayimpact communicating over the wireless connection 106. Internalconditions may include one or more of scheduled communications viaanother wireless connection (e.g., IEEE 802.11 or 802.15), an amount ortype of data to be transmitted to or received from the base station 104,a thermal status of the user device 102, or a power status of the userdevice 102. Environmental conditions may include, for example, a Dopplereffect in the wireless connection, phase noise of the wirelessconnection, a delay spread of the wireless connection, or other wirelesssignals detected at the user device 102.

Generally, the resource configuration selector 118 determines, based onthe monitored conditions, one or more preferred elements of a resourceconfiguration for communicating with the base station 104. For example,the resource configuration selector 118 may select a preferrednumerology, including elements such as subcarrier spacing or a cyclicprefix configuration of an OFDM symbol. Additionally or alternatively,the resource configuration selector 118 may select a preferred mini-slotconfiguration including elements such as a quantity of OFDM symbols or atiming offset relative to a slot or subframe boundary that includes themini-slot. In some implementations, the resource configuration selector118 selects a schedule for uplink and downlink OFDM symbols within oneor more resources of the wireless connection.

Using the communication module 120, the user device 102 can transmit arequest to communicate with the base station 104, with the requestidentifying the selected resource configuration. The user device 102 maytransmit the request as a radio resource control (RRC) message or amedium access control (MAC) message. Further, the user device 102 maytransmit the request over currently allocated resources, a physicalrandom access channel (PRACH), a supplemental uplink, or an uplink ofanother wireless connection, such as a wireless connecting communicatingvia a legacy radio access technology. The request may specify a selectedresource configuration for the downlink 110 only, the uplink 108 only,or both the uplink 108 and the downlink 110. Additionally oralternatively, the request may include a requested schedule, basedcontext such as time or location of the user device 102, for changingelements of the selected resource configuration, such as a cyclic prefixor a quantity of OFDM symbols of a mini-slot.

The communication module 120 of the user device 102 includes ahardware-based transceiver and associated circuitry or other componentsfor communicating with the base station 104 via a wireless medium. Forexample, the communication module 120 may transmit, via a transmitter ofthe transceiver, data to the base station 104 over one or more channelsof the uplink 108, such as a PRACH, a physical uplink control channel(PUCCH), or a physical uplink share channel (PUSCH). This datatransmitted to the base station 104 may include any suitable type offramed or packetized information, such as a sounding reference signal(SRS), device-status information, wireless connection statusinformation, wireless connection control information, data requests,application data, or network access requests. The communication module120 may also receive, via a receiver of the transceiver, other data fromthe base station 104 over one or more channels of the downlink 110, suchas a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlinkshare channel (PDSCH), or a physical hybrid automatic repeat request(HARQ) indicator channel (PHICH). This data may include one or more ofapplication data, downlink pilots, primary or secondary synchronizationsignals (PSSs or SSSs), a master information block (MIB), a systeminformation block (SIB), a downlink control information (DCI) message, adownlink grant, an uplink grant, wireless connection configurationsettings, network control information, or a communication modeselection.

In this example, the base station 104 is shown generally as a cellularbase station of a wireless network. The base station 104 may beimplemented to provide and manage a cell of a wireless network thatincludes multiple other base stations that each manage anotherrespective cell of the wireless network. As such, the base station 104may communicate with a network management entity or others of themultiple base stations to coordinate connectivity or hand-offs of mobilestations within or across the cells of the wireless network.

The base station 104 can be configured as any suitable type of basestation or network management node, such as a GSM base station, a nodebase (Node B) transceiver station (e.g., for UMTS), an evolved NodeB(eNB, e.g., for LTE), or a next generation Node B (gNB, e.g., for 5GNR). As such, the base station 104 may control or configure parametersof the uplink 108 or the downlink 110 in accordance with one or more ofthe wireless standards or protocols described herein. In at least someaspects, the base station 104 configures parameters or allocatesresources to the uplink 108 and/or downlink 110 of the wirelessconnection 106 based on a request received from the user device 102.

The base station 104 includes a processor 122, a computer-readablestorage media (CRM) 124 having a resource manager 126 and a resourceconfiguration manager 128, and a communication module 130. In thisexample, the CRM 124 also stores processor-executable code orinstructions for implementing the resource manager 126 and the resourceconfiguration manager 128 of the base station 104.

In some aspects, the resource manager 126 of the base station 104 isimplemented to perform various functions associated with allocatingphysical access (e.g., resource blocks) or resources of the wirelessconnection available to the base station 104. The physical access, suchas an air interface of the base station 104, may be partitioned ordivided into various units (e.g., frames) of one or more of frequencybandwidth, time, symbols, or spatial layers. For example, within aframework of a 5G NR protocol, the resource manager 126 can allocatefrequency bandwidth and time intervals of access in resource blocks,each of which may be allocated in whole, or in part, to one or morechannels for communicating with the user device 102. The resource blocksmay include multiple subcarriers, each of which spans a portion of afrequency domain of the resource blocks (e.g., 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz,120 kHz, or 240 kHz). These subcarriers may be spaced according to aconfiguration by the resource configuration manager 128. The subcarriersmay be further divided into resource elements, or OFDM symbols, each ofwhich spans a portion of a time domain of the subcarriers. Consequently,a resource block includes multiple OFDM symbols that can be grouped intosubcarriers with other OFDM symbols having a common frequency.

In some aspects, the resource configuration manager 128 receives, fromthe user device 102, a request to communicate with the base station 104based on a selected resource configuration for the communication module130 or resources of the wireless network. The resource configurationmanager 128 determines whether the request can be granted by the basestation 104. For example, the base station 104 may grant or reject arequest for increased subcarrier spacing based on availability offrequency bandwidth adjacent to a frequency bandwidth of the wirelessconnection. The base station 104 may grant or reject a mini-slotconfiguration or a schedule for uplink and downlink OFDM symbols basedon existence of conflicting operations of the base station 104, such ascommunicating with other user devices. The resource configurationmanager 128 may recommend, to the resource manager 126, granting one ormore elements of the request. The resource configuration manager 128 mayfurther determine a proposed alternate resource configuration fortransmitting to the user device 102. In some implementations, theresource configuration manager 128 recommends changing a location of thefrequency bandwidth used to implement the wireless connection 106, basedon the request or a rejection of the request.

Generally, the resource manager 126 allocates, based on one or more ofthe request and the recommendation of the resource configuration manager128, resources with a resource configuration. The base station 104 canthen transmit, via the communication module 130, an associated resourcegrant to the user device 102 indicating the resource configuration ofthe allocated resources. The communication module 130 includes ahardware-based transceiver that includes a receiver, a transmitter, andassociated circuitry or other components for communicating with the userdevice 102 via the wireless medium. The communication module 130 may beconfigured to communicate over one or more frequency bandwidths of thewireless medium and over multiple spatial layers and beams. In somecases, the communication module 130 includes, or is coupled with,multiple hardware-based transceivers and antenna arrays that areconfigured to establish and manage wireless connections with multipleuser devices over one or more frequency bandwidths. The base station 104may communicate, over one or more channels, any suitable data with theuser device 102 through the uplink 108 and the downlink 110, such as aschedule of allocated resources, downlink pilots, application data,wireless connection status information, or wireless connection controlinformation.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example networking environment 200 in which a userdevice and a base station may communicate in accordance with one or moreaspects of user device-initiated requests for resource configuration.The network environment 200 includes respective instances of the userdevice 102 and the base station 104, which provides a wireless networkwith which the user device 102 and other user devices may associate.Through the wireless network, the base station 104 may enable or provideaccess to other networks or resources, such as a network 202 (e.g., theInternet) connected via a backhaul link (e.g., fiber network).Additionally or alternately, the networking environment 200 may includeother base stations or a mobility manager 204, such as a mobilitymanagement entity (MME) or an access and mobility management function(AMF), to provide an area wide wireless network, such as a 5G NR networkand associated data services.

In this example, the user device 102 transmits, to the base station 104,a resource configuration request 206. For example, the resourceconfiguration request 206 may be transmitted over a channel of thewireless connection 106, such as a PUCCH or a PRACH. The resourceconfiguration request 206 may include a schedule, based on context suchas a duration of time or a presence at a location, during which the userdevice 102 requests to communicate according to the requested resourceconfiguration. For example, the resource configuration request 206 mayprovide a requested schedule for communicating with a short cyclicprefix or a long cyclic prefix.

Based on the resource configuration request 206, the base station 104determines whether the selected resource configuration is granted orrejected. The base station 104 then transmits a resource grant 208 tothe user device 102 that indicates which, if any, elements of theselected resource configuration are granted. The base station 104 mayindicate a grant or rejection of elements of the selected resourceconfiguration within the resource grant 208 (or a configuration requestresponse, not shown). Alternatively, the base station 104 may indicate agrant or rejection within a separate DCI message, for dynamic resourceconfigurations, or within a medium access (MAC) message or radioresource control (RRC) message, for static or semi-static resourceconfigurations. Further, the base station 104 may transmit the resourcegrant 208 directly, such as over a PDCCH of the wireless connection 106,or indirectly, such as over another wireless connection via anotherradio access technology. The resource grant 208 may further confirm orreject other requests within the resource configuration request 206,such as a schedule for changing the resource configuration over time.

The base station 104 transmits downlink (DL) data 210 to the user device102 over the downlink resources, and based on the resourceconfiguration, identified in the resource grant 208. The base station104 may transmit the downlink data 210 over a channel of the wirelessconnection 106 such as a PDSCH or a PDCCH. The user device 102 transmitsuplink (UL) data 212 to the base station 104 over uplink resources, andbased on the resource configuration, identified in the resource grant208.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example user interface 300 of an instance of theuser device 102 through which one or more aspects of userdevice-initiated requests for resource configuration can be implemented.In this example, the user interface 300 is presented through a visibleportion of a display 302 for providing output to a user. The display 302may also include, or be integrated with, a touch screen ortouch-sensitive overlay for receiving touch input from the user. Thedisplay 302 may also display one or more of a thermal status indicator304 of the device (shown as “temp”), an indicator 306 of anotherwireless connection (shown as a WiFi connection) of the user device 102,an indicator 308 of the wireless connection 106 (shown as 5G NR), or apower status indicator 310. In the context of user device-initiatedrequests for resource configuration, the indicators 304, 306, 308 and310 represent one or more of the findings of the communicationconditions monitor 116. For example, the communication conditionsmonitor 116 can detect a communication schedule for communicating viathe other wireless connection identified by the indicator 306.Additionally, the communication conditions monitor 116 may detect a hightemperature as indicated by the thermal status indicator 304 or a lowbattery charge level as indicated by the power status indicator 310.

In some implementations, the display 302 provides or makes accessible asettings menu 312 through which the user interface 300 can receive input314 to select a customized resource configuration mode. The settingsmenu 312 can receive additional inputs 316, 318, and 320 to select oneor more modes for user device-initiated requests for resourceconfiguration. As shown in FIG. 3, the inputs 316, 318, and 320 enableselections of example modes including wireless connection conflictavoiding (conflict avoiding), battery saving, and noise reducing modes,respectively.

Additionally or alternatively, the user device 102 may provide anotification 322 via the user interface 300 to indicate that the userdevice 102 is entering the customized resource configuration mode (e.g.,based on user input). The notification 322 is illustrated in thisexample as a pop-up notification in the display 302, however, otherforms of the notification 322 may be implemented in addition or inalternative to the pop-up notification. For example, the user device 102may provide an audible notification, a visible notification via a lightemitting diode (LED) indicator that is separate from the display 302, ora motion-based notification such as a vibration of the user device 102.

The user interface 300 is but one of many possible user interfaces forimplementing user device-initiated requests for resource configuration.Although the user device 102 is illustrated as a smart phone with atouch screen, alternative user interfaces may be implemented by the userdevice 102. For example, the user device 102 may be implemented as alaptop with a user interface. The user interface of the laptop mayinclude, for example, one or more of a mouse, a track pad, a keyboard, amicrophone, a monitor, a projector screen, or speakers. In someimplementations, the user interface does not include the settings menu312 for receiving the inputs 314, 316, 318, or 320, but rather, the userdevice 102 enters the customized resource configuration modeautomatically and without receiving user input.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example set 400 of resources available to the basestation 104 for communicating with user devices. The set 400 ofresources, available to the base station 104 for communicating withassociated user devices, span a frequency bandwidth 402 and a timeinterval 404. The resources span a frequency bandwidth 406 that is aportion of the frequency bandwidth 402 of the set 400. The frequencybandwidth 406 may be dynamically determined by the base station 104 andmay vary for different resources of the set 400.

The resource configuration request 206 may include a requestednumerology identifying a subcarrier spacing for the wireless connection106. As illustrated, resources within a portion 408 of the frequencybandwidth 402, which includes a portion or all resources allocated tothe user device 102, span a wider frequency bandwidth 410 than thefrequency bandwidth 406 of the standard resource. This represents anincrease of subcarrier spacing for communication resources allocated tothe wireless connection 106. However, a resource, such as a resourceblock, may instead have a reduced quantity of subcarriers within theresource to achieve an increased subcarrier spacing without spanning awider frequency bandwidth.

The increased subcarrier spacing may be a multiple of a standardsubcarrier spacing. For example, if the standard subcarrier spacing is15 kHz, the increased subcarrier spacing may be any of 30 kHz, 45 kHz,60 kHz, 120 kHz, or 240 kHz. The user device 102 may request theincreased subcarrier spacing based on, or in response to detecting, aDoppler effect. A Doppler effect may be produced when a change occurs ina transmission distance of a beam path of the wireless connection 106.For example, the transmission distance can change when the user device102 is in motion relative to the base station 104, such as while in acar or on a train. The transmission distance can also change based onmovements of objects off of which the beam path reflects. The changingtransmission distance causes the user device 102 to receive a downlinktransmission at a frequency that is shifted from a frequency at whichthe downlink transmission is transmitted by the base station 104. Whenthe Doppler effect shifts the frequency by a large amount, relative tothe subcarrier spacing, the user device 102 may be unable to determineover which subcarrier the downlink transmission was transmitted. Thiscan result in an inability to, or difficulty in, decoding the downlinktransmission. For this reason, if the user device 102 detects arelatively large Doppler effect, it may request an increased subcarrierspacing.

Similarly, the user device 102 may request in increased subcarrierspacing based on detecting a high phase noise. Phase noise can begenerated as spurious signals at frequencies near a desired transmissionfrequency. For example, if the base station 104 intends to transmit adownlink communication at a frequency of 3 GHz, imperfections of thecommunication module 130 will likely produce phase noise at frequenciesnear the intended frequency. This phase noise significantly decreases asa distance in the frequency domain from the desired transmissionfrequency increases. For this reason, if the user device 102 detects arelatively high phase noise, it may request an increased subcarrierspacing to decrease an effect of phase noise on transmissions over onesubcarrier from other transmissions over an adjacent subcarrier.

FIG. 5 illustrates other example configurations of a set 500 ofresources available for communication between the user device 102 andthe base station 104. The set 500 may be included in the resourceconfiguration request 206 indicating a request to select a numerologyconfiguration. More particularly, the request to select the numerologyconfiguration identifies a selection of a cyclic prefix for one or moreresources of the wireless connection 106. The set 500 includes resources502, 504, and 506 that include one or more OFDM symbols. For example,the resources 502, 504, and 506 may be a data frame, a subframe, a slot,or a subcarrier.

The resource configuration request 206 can define a cyclic prefix, ormay choose from available configurations for cyclic prefixes. Further,the resource configuration request 206 may request a cyclic prefix forall OFDM symbols of the wireless connection 106, individual channels ofthe wireless connection 106, or individual resource blocks of thewireless connection. A configuration 508 includes a configuration ofcyclic prefixes 510, 512, and 514 that indicate a beginning of OFDMsymbols of the resource 504. A configuration 516 includes anotherconfiguration of cyclic prefixes 518, 520, and 522 that indicate abeginning of OFDM symbols of the resource 504. A configuration 524includes another configuration of cyclic prefixes 526, 528, and 530 thatindicate a beginning of OFDM symbols of the resource 504. Theconfiguration 516 includes relatively long cyclic prefixes, theconfiguration 524 includes relatively short cyclic prefixes, and theconfiguration 508 includes cyclic prefixes between the two in length.The configurations 508, 516, and 524 may represent standard cyclicprefixes from which the user device 102 can choose. Alternatively, theuser device 102 may generate a desired cyclic prefix, or a lengththereof, that is not a standard cyclic prefix.

A cyclic prefix indicates, to the user device 102 when an OFDM symbolbegins. This can be important for a user device 102 receiving atransmission from the base station 104 having a long delay spreadbetween receiving different parts of the transmission intended to bereceived at a same time. This delay spread of the transmission can beaffected by multipath conditions for the wireless connection 106. For along delay spread, a long cyclic prefix, such as that of theconfiguration 516, is desirable for improving a success rate of decodingdata of the transmission. However, for a small delay spread, a longcyclic prefix is unnecessary. An unnecessarily long cyclic prefix usesportions of the OFDM symbol that could otherwise be used to carry othertypes of data, such as application data. For this reason, if the userdevice 102 detects a relatively short delay spread, the user device 102can request a relatively short cyclic prefix to vacate portions of theOFDM symbol that can instead carry other data. Conversely, if the userdevice 102 detects a relatively long delay spread, the user device 102can request a relatively long cyclic prefix to improve decoding of datatransmitted over the OFDM symbol.

FIG. 6 illustrates other example configurations of a set 600 ofresources available for communication between the user device 102 andthe base station 104. The set 600 may be included in the resourceconfiguration request 206 indicating a request to select a mini-slotconfiguration. The set 600 includes resources 602, 604, and 606 thatinclude OFDM symbols. For example, the resources 602, 604, and 606 maybe a data frame, a subframe, a slot, or a subcarrier. As shown in FIG.6, the resource 604 in this example includes OFDM symbols 608, 610, 612,614, 616, 618, and 620.

A resource configuration request 206 that includes a mini-slotconfiguration request may specify one or more of a quantity of OFDMsymbols in a mini-slot, a time-location of the mini-slot within a slotincluding the mini-slot, or a schedule for uplink and downlink OFDMsymbols within the mini-slot. For example, the mini-slot configurationrequest may identify a portion 622 as the mini-slot, which includes fourOFDM symbols 612 through 618. The mini-slot has a timing offset 624 oftwo OFDM symbols from a beginning boundary of a slot of the resource 604that includes the mini-slot, or in which the mini-slot is implemented,and a timing offset 626 of one OFDM symbol from an ending boundary ofthe slot. In other implementations, the portion 622 may be offset orindexed from only one boundary of the slot of the resource 604.

The user device 102 may request a mini-slot configuration to avoid aconflict with a communication via another wireless connection of theuser device 102. For example, the user device 102 may receive a schedulefor communicating via an LTE-based wireless connection. The user device102 may attempt to avoid conflicting transmissions over both wirelessnetworks to avoid double-scheduling a single transmission chain orexceeding a specific absorption rate (SAR) limit for emittedtransmission radiation. Additionally or alternatively, the user device102 may request a mini-slot configuration to reduce power consumption orreduce heat generation at the user device 102.

FIG. 7 illustrates other example configurations of a set 700 ofresources available for communication between the user device 102 andthe base station 104. The set 700 may be included in a resourceconfiguration request 206 indicating a request to select a schedule foruplink and downlink OFDM symbols. The set 700 includes resources 702,704, and 706 that include OFDM symbols. For example, the resources 702,704, and 706 may be a data frame, a subframe, a slot, or a subcarrier.As shown in FIG. 7, the resource 704 includes OFDM symbols 708, 710,712, 714, 716, 718, and 720.

The resource configuration request 206 can define a schedule for uplinkand downlink OFDM symbols, or may choose from available schedules foruplink and downlink OFDM symbols. Further, the resource configurationrequest 206 may request the schedule for all resources of the wirelessconnection 106, individual channels of the wireless connection 106, orindividual resource blocks of the wireless connection. Here, an exampleschedule 722 includes five downlink OFDM symbols and two uplink OFDMsymbols. This schedule may be determined based on one or more of arequested quantity of uplink OFDM symbols, a requested quantity ofdownlink OFDM symbols, or a requested time-location of one or both ofuplink or downlink OFDM symbols. Another schedule 724 includes twodownlink OFDM symbols and five uplink OFDM symbols and yet anotherschedule 726 includes seven downlink OFDM symbols and no uplink OFDMsymbols (e.g., for higher downlink throughput).

The user device 102 may request the schedule for uplink and downlinkOFDM symbols based on another wireless connection between the userdevice 102 and another device or provider. For example, the user device102 may transmit request in an effort to avoid simultaneous orconflicting transmissions. Additionally or alternatively, the userdevice 102 may request the schedule for uplink and downlink OFDM symbolsbased on an amount of data expected to be transmitted or received viathe wireless network, based on conditions at the user device 102. Forexample, the user device 102 may request the schedule 726 when streaminga video over the wireless connection 106. The user device 102 mayinstead request the schedule 724 when gaming over the wirelessconnection 106.

Techniques for User Device-Initiated Requests for Resource Configuration

FIGS. 8-10 depict methods for implementing user device-initiatedrequests for resource configuration. These methods are shown as sets ofblocks that specify operations performed but are not necessarily limitedto the order or combinations shown for performing the operations by therespective blocks. For example, operations of different methods may becombined, in any order, to implement alternate methods without departingfrom the concepts described herein. In portions of the followingdiscussion, the techniques may be described in reference to FIGS. 1-7,reference to which is made for example only. The techniques are notlimited to performance by one entity or multiple entities operating onone device, or those described in these figures.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method 800 performed by a user device forimplementing user device-initiated requests for resource configuration.The method 800 includes operations that may be performed by acommunication conditions monitor, a resource configuration selector, anda communication module. For example, the operations may be performed byone or more of the communication conditions monitor 116, the resourceconfiguration selector 118, and the communication module 120. In someaspects, operations of the method 800 may improve an experience at theuser device 102 by allowing the user device 102 to influence anumerology configuration that is better suited for communication overthe wireless connection 106.

At operation 802, the user device determines conditions related tocommunicating with a base station over a wireless connection or wirelesschannel. For example, the user device 102 detects one or more conditionssuch as internal conditions or environmental conditions (e.g., wirelesschannel conditions) that influence a user experience at the user device102 for communicating over the wireless connection 106.

At operation 804, the user device selects a numerology configuration ofresources of the wireless connection for communicating with the basestation. The selecting is based on the determined conditions. Forexample, the user device 102 selects the numerology configuration basedon detecting a Doppler effect, phase noise, or a delay spread of thewireless connection at the user device 102.

At operation 806, the user device transmits, to the base station, arequest to communicate based on the selected numerology configuration.For example, the user device 102 identifies the selected numerologyconfiguration within the resource configuration request 206 that istransmitted to the base station 104. The selected numerologyconfiguration may include one or both of subcarrier spacing or a lengthof a cyclic prefix for resources of the wireless connection 106.

At optional operation 808, the user device receives, from the basestation, a resource grant allocating resources for communicating withthe base station over the wireless connection. The resource grantallocates the resources based on the selected numerology. For example,the user device 102 receives the resource grant 208 identifyingresources for communicating over the wireless connection 106 andidentifying a numerology configuration for the identified resources.

At optional operation 810, the user device communicates with the basestation via the allocated resources identified in the resource grant.For example, the user device 102 communicates with the base station 104via allocated resources indicated in the resource grant 208.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example method 900 performed by a user device foruser device-initiated requests for resource configuration. The method900 includes operations that may be performed by a communicationconditions monitor, a resource configuration selector, and acommunication module. For example, the operations may be performed byone or more of the communication conditions monitor 116, the resourceconfiguration selector 118, and the communication module 120. In someaspects, operations of the method 900 may improve an experience at theuser device 102 by allowing the user device 102 to request a mini-slotconfiguration that is better suited for communication over the wirelessconnection 106.

At operation 902, the user device determines conditions related tocommunicating with a base station over a wireless connection. Forexample, the user device 102 detects one or more conditions such asinternal conditions or environmental conditions that influence a userexperience at the user device 102 for communicating over the wirelessconnection 106.

At operation 904, the user device selects a mini-slot configuration forcommunicating with the base station. The selecting is based on thedetermined conditions, such as the internal conditions or environmentalconditions that affect communication with the base station or influencea user experience at the user device. For example, the user device 102selects the mini-slot configuration to avoid a conflict with acommunication via another wireless connection such as an LTE-basedwireless connection or a WiFi-based wireless connection.

At operation 906, the user device transmits, to the base station, arequest to communicate via a mini-slot using the selected mini-slotconfiguration. For example, the user device 102 can identify themini-slot configuration within the resource configuration request 206that is transmitted to the base station 104. The selected mini-slotconfiguration may include one or more of a quantity of OFDM symbols in,or duration of, the mini-slot or a timing offset or index of themini-slot relative to a boundary of a slot that includes the mini-slot.

At optional operation 908, the user device receives, from the basestation, a resource grant allocating resources for communicating withthe base station over the wireless connection. The resource grantallocates the resources based on the selected mini-slot configuration.For example, the user device 102 receives the resource grant 208identifying resources for communicating over the wireless connection 106and identifying a mini-slot configuration for the identified resources.

At optional operation 910, the user device communicates with the basestation via the allocated resources identified in the resource grant.For example, the user device 102 communicates with the base station 104via allocated resources indicated in the resource grant 208.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example method 1000 performed by a user devicefor user device-initiated requests for resource configuration. Themethod 1000 includes operations that may be performed by a communicationconditions monitor, a resource configuration selector, and acommunication module. For example, the operations may be performed byone or more of the communication conditions monitor 116, the resourceconfiguration selector 118, and the communication module 120. In someaspects, operations of the method 1000 may improve an experience at theuser device 102 by allowing the user device 102 to request a schedulefor uplink and downlink OFDM symbols within a resource of the wirelessconnection 106.

At operation 1002, the user device determines conditions related tocommunicating with a base station over a wireless connection. Forexample, the user device 102 detects one or more conditions such asinternal conditions or environmental conditions that influence a userexperience at the user device 102 for communicating over the wirelessconnection 106.

At operation 1004, the user device selects a schedule for uplink anddownlink OFDM symbols within a resource of the wireless connection. Theselecting is based on the determined conditions. For example, the userdevice 102 selects the schedule for uplink and downlink OFDM symbols toavoid a conflict with a communication via another wireless connectionsuch as an LTE-based wireless connection or a WiFi-based wirelessconnection.

At operation 1006, the user device transmits, to the base station, arequest to communicate with the base station. The request to communicatewith the base station identifies the selected schedule for uplink anddownlink OFDM symbols. For example, the user device 102 identifies theselected schedule for uplink and downlink OFDM symbols within theresource configuration request 206 that is transmitted to the basestation 104. The selected schedule for uplink and downlink OFDM symbolsmay include a schedule for all resources, resource of identifiedchannels, or resources of identified resource blocks of the wirelessconnection 106.

At optional operation 1008, the user device receives, from the basestation, a resource grant allocating resources for communicating withthe base station over the wireless connection. The resource grantallocates the resources based on the selected schedule for uplink anddownlink OFDM symbols. For example, the user device 102 receives theresource grant 208 identifying resources, and an associated uplink anddownlink schedule, for communicating over the wireless connection 106.

At optional operation 1010, the user device communicates with the basestation via the allocated resources identified in the resource grant.For example, the user device 102 communicates with the base station 104via allocated resources indicated in the resource grant 208.

Although techniques using, and apparatuses for implementing, userdevice-initiated requests for resource configuration have been describedin language specific to features and/or methods, it is to be understoodthat the subject of the appended claims is not necessarily limited tothe specific features or methods described. Rather, the specificfeatures and methods are disclosed as example ways in which userdevice-initiated requests for resource configuration can be implemented.

1. A method performed by a user device to implement a userdevice-initiated request for resource configuration, the methodcomprising: determining, by the user device, a wireless connectionenvironmental condition related to transmissions received from a basestation over a wireless connection; selecting, by the user device andbased on the determined wireless connection environmental condition, anumerology configuration of resources of the wireless connection forcommunicating with the base station including a requested cyclic prefixor subcarrier spacing; and transmitting, to the base station, a requestto communicate with the base station, the request identifying theselected numerology configuration.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1,further comprising receiving, from the base station, a resource grantallocating resources of the wireless connection for communicating withthe base station, the resource grant allocating the resources of thewireless connection based on the selected numerology configuration. 3.The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: determining, bythe user device and based on the determined wireless connectionenvironmental condition, a requested configuration of a mini-slot forcommunicating with the base station, the mini-slot comprising less thanone slot; and transmitting, to the base station, the requestedconfiguration of the mini-slot for communicating with the base station.4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: determining, bythe user device and based on an amount of data to transmit to the basestation, a requested quantity of uplink orthogonal frequency-divisionmultiplexing (OFDM) symbols per slot to be used for communicating withthe base station; and transmitting, to the base station, an indicationof the requested quantity of uplink OFDM symbols per slot.
 5. The methodas recited in claim 1, further comprising: determining, by the userdevice, a requested schedule of uplink orthogonal frequency-divisionmultiplexing (OFDM) symbols and downlink OFDM symbols to be used forcommunicating with the base station; and transmitting, to the basestation, the requested schedule of uplink OFDM symbols and downlink OFDMsymbols.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein:determining the wireless connection environmental condition includesdetecting one or more of a Doppler effect or phase noise related to thetransmissions received from the base station over the wireless channel;and the requested subcarrier spacing is selected based on the detectedone or more of a Doppler effect or phase noise.
 8. (canceled)
 9. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein: determining the wirelessconnection environmental condition includes detecting a delay spread ofthe transmissions received from the base station; and the requestedcyclic prefix is based on the detected delay spread of the transmissionsreceived from the base station.
 10. A user device comprising: aprocessor; a hardware-based transceiver: and a computer-readable storagemedium having stored instructions that, responsive to execution by theprocessor, cause the processor to: determine a wireless connectionenvironmental condition related to transmissions received from a basestation over a wireless connection; select, based on the determinedwireless connection environmental condition, a mini-slot configurationfor communicating with the base station, the mini-slot configurationidentifying a quantity of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) symbols for communicating via at least one mini-slot that is lessthan a quantity of OFDM symbols for one slot; and transmit, to the basestation, a request to communicate with the base station via the at leastone mini-slot, the request identifying the selected mini-slotconfiguration.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The user device as recited in claim10, wherein the selected mini-slot configuration includes a requestedschedule of OFDM symbols of the at least one mini-slot.
 13. The userdevice as recited in claim 10, wherein the selected mini-slotconfiguration identifies a timing offset of the at least one mini-slotrelative to a boundary of a slot that includes at least a portion of theat least one mini-slot.
 14. The user device as recited in claim 13,wherein the timing offset is determined, by the user device, to avoid aconflict with a communication via another wireless connection of theuser device.
 15. The user device as recited in claim 10, wherein theoperations further comprise: receiving, from the base station, aresource grant allocating resources of the wireless connection forcommunicating with the base station via the at least one mini-slot, theresource grant allocating the resources of the wireless connection basedon the selected mini-slot configuration.
 16. The user device as recitedin claim 10, wherein the user device receives an indication of a grantor rejection of the selected mini-slot configuration via one or more ofa radio resource control message, a medium access control message, or adownlink control information message.
 17. A method performed by a userdevice to implement a user device-initiated request for wirelessresources, the method comprising: determining, by the user device, awireless connection environmental condition related to downlinktransmissions from a base station over a wireless connection;generating, by the user device and based on the determined wirelessconnection environmental condition, a resource configuration requestincluding at least two elements related to any one or more of: (a) anumerology configuration, (b) a mini-slot configuration, or (c) aschedule for uplink and downlink orthogonal frequency-divisionmultiplexing (OFDM) symbols; transmitting, to the base station, theresource configuration request; and receiving, from the base station, aresource grant confirming or rejecting each element of the at least twoelements.
 18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the generatingthe resource configuration request is further based on an amount of datato be transmitted to the base station.
 19. The method as recited inclaim 17, wherein the generating the resource configuration request isfurther based on another schedule of another wireless connection of theuser device.
 20. (canceled)
 21. The method as recited in claim 1,wherein the transmitting a request further includes transmitting arequested schedule for changing elements of the numerologyconfiguration.
 22. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein theresource grant allocates the resources of the wireless connection in amanner that indicates rejection of at least one aspect of the selectednumerology configuration.
 23. The method as recited in claim 2, whereinthe resource grant allocates a portion of the resources of the wirelessconnection in a manner that indicates confirmation of at least oneaspect of the selected numerology configuration.
 24. The method asrecited in claim 17, wherein one of the elements is related to amini-slot configuration and another of the elements is related to aschedule for uplink and downlink OFDM symbols.